<Begin Segment 19>

BF: It's, in a way, you've answered this question in what you just said. I was going to ask whether -- there's some people who would like us to move to this melting pot idea in this country, where really we all just think of ourselves as Americans, we're color blind. And yet, I know that -- I assume that you must feel that there will always be a need for organizations that are specific to the needs of an ethnic group?

TM: Uh-huh. I think so.

BF: Or, why is that so? I mean, what is wrong with this sort of idealistic notion where we're all just Americans? [Laughs]

TM: Well, I don't know. And part of it is maybe an experience in a lot of my life is that, as I have been fortunate enough to get involved with, outside the Nikkei community, they expect you to understand some Japanese languages, culture. And so maybe I wasn't strong enough to say, "Hey, I'm American, the hell with it." It's easier for me, especially in my business background and my cultural upbringing and having traveled Japan to say, "Yeah. I could answer that. And we talked about that." So for me, maybe that was a easier course. The other side of it is, what is American? I mean, we all come from some root. And when you look at the Jewish community, they, they go back 2,500 years, or 4,000 -- well, at least 2,500 years. And it's not a perfect society, but they have some very strong traits or culture, that the Nikkei Concern has emulated and tried to follow and have evolved from it and used and have talked to it. So it's just -- I mean, why do we have to be American? I guess that's, you have to think about it that I way a little bit. And maybe if there's outmarriage, and my children marry non-Nikkei and hakujin, let's say, and then maybe two, three generations, they may look like non-Japanese, but as long as their strong attributes are Asian or Japanese, they're going to be treated differently anyway, so why fight it? Just be proud of it.

BF: Yeah. I like that because, as sad as this may kind of sound, I don't hear very often Nisei or, making -- well, Sansei for that matter, making the statement that our culture will survive or this community will continue because there's something there that's special.

TM: Well, and I think of it as sad -- if they're right, it's really sad because then I, I may be unique, but, and I have friends that live on Mercer Island, but I use this. I don't think I would feel comfortable as a Mercer Island person, feeling that I have roots there, and that I have -- that's where I belong. Maybe not even this Capitol Hill. But I, when I go to the International District, maybe because my business is there, I grew up there, and I have land there, but I feel, "Wow, this is my community. This is where I belong." And I feel very secure, safe, and feel comfortable. And I guess thinking of it when I go back to my father's village where he grew up, and was born and raised, and my cousin and my uncle live there, I says, "Wow, this is -- I feel very comfortable. I feel I belong." And I see no reason why I should give that up. Because I know I'm American by birth and by passport, I guess. But it's, it's a shame that the Sanseis that you spoke to can't feel that they could be proud of their culture and heritage. It doesn't enrich their life. It doesn't restrict it. It should enrich their life.

BF: I think you're right, that part of this is still dealing with the history of the internment.

TM: Yeah.

BF: And part of this is probably a continuation of, of forms of racism still. Well, I should ask you, what do you think, as being someone who, well, you've been in a lot more organizations than I have. How would you assess the level of sensitivity in our country, to racial issues? [Laughs]

TM: Well, this gets back to -- I don't, fortunately, I have not had to knock on the wall or door and say I want to be a board member or active. And fortunately because, and this came through just becoming involved with Model City program and Science Center for -- I went to the Science Center because I wanted, was looking for a birthday site for my son, and I got involved. But the point I'm making is, organizations like that that embrace you and welcome you are enlightened organizations. And I guess we talked about, we pick and choose. Invariably or intuitively, you're not going to go to an organization that treats you badly. And maybe that's a sad statement. That's the kind of organization that I should be involved with and other non, I mean, minorities should be involved with. So I've had fairly positive experiences because you tend to go to organizations and tend to deal with people that have, at least outwardly, dealt with this issue pretty well and comfortably for me.

BF: Do you find that in sort of your daily life too? I mean, when you're just doing your shopping or --

TM: Well, we all experience the back-of-the-seat mentality when you go places. But I think if you let that eat into your guts, then life is too short for that. So you just -- and I guess if you have a certain amount of confidence, you just say, "Well, that's their problem, not yours."

BF: Yeah.

TM: And I think you have to think of it that way. It's their problem, not yours. But I'm sure we've had friends that let, let that bother them. And well, that's, to me, unfortunate.

<End Segment 19> - Copyright © 1999 Densho. All Rights Reserved.